Kahn, Wolves less credible after Rambis boondoggle

I want to thank Kurt for his contributions to our franchise and wish him the best in his future endeavors," Kahn said in a statement announcing the firing. "His arrival signaled we were serious about building a championship-contending ballclub over the course of time. We have accumulated a solid nucleus of young talent with a bright future during the last two years. I am hopeful Kurt receives his share of the credit for helping develop that talent and his contributions are not forgotten as we become a better basketball team."

HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: They are perhaps the worst organization in the NBA –maybe in all of professional sports. And yes, that includes Donald Sterling’s Los Angeles Clippers.

Take the Minnesota Timberwolves handling – or mishandling – of Coach Kurt Rambis, which is another hit against executive David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor.

Now Rambis was by all accounts a poor coach –regardless of the extremely limited hand he was dealt by Kahn. But Rambis –despite not winning much of anything- deserved better.

After all, Kahn kept Rambis twisting in the wind for months, not letting the former Los Angeles Laker know if he’d return to the Midwest for 2011-12 or join the unemployment line.

Kahn even gave Rambis homework, making him write a report on how he’d improve the team if brought back. Of course, Kahn knew his assignment was meaningless –the decision to fire Rambis was made long ago.

So what’s the big deal about the Wolves mistreating Rambis? They simply hire another coach, right?

Well, wrong. Professional organizations treat employees with respect and decency -or, for lack of a better word, like professionals.

Kahn, Taylor, and their lackeys in the front office should model this for their players. Such an approach is necessary to win a championship or even qualify for the playoffs –and it starts at the top.

Consider Michael Beasley’s recent marijuana citation. Sure, the troubled forward broke the law, but the Wolves, specifically Kahn, will surely be upset with Beasley’s lack of respect for the organization.

This would be fair -except Kahn showed an utter lack of respect for Rambis.

The acts and circumstances may be different. But Kahn has no credibility to criticize Beasley for hurting the reputation of the Wolves. He has done this time-and-time again.

Rambis is the latest black eye for the Wolves. It won’t, however, be the last on Kahn and Taylor’s watch.